Cutting Machine Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB PURPOSE

The Cutter is responsible for cutting, shaping, trimming, marking, inspecting, bundling, and preparing coated materials, fabrics, and related production materials for downstream assembly operations. This role uses hand tools, cutting tools, bench-mounted tools, power tools, die-cutting equipment, routers, grinders, and computerized cutting equipment, including the I-9000 computerized cutting machine and CNC vacuum cutting systems.
The Cutter ensures that materials are selected, positioned, cut, marked, inspected, recorded, and routed according to work orders, job specifications, cut files, patterns, templates, quality standards, and production requirements. The role directly supports production flow by ensuring that all cut parts are accurate, properly identified, defect-free where required, bundled correctly, and delivered to the appropriate work areas.
This job family is structured into three progressive levels. Cutter I is the foundational level focused on learning cutting operations, safe equipment use, material handling, basic quality checks, and work order execution. Cutter II is the fully independent level responsible for operating computerized cutting equipment, completing quality checks, making adjustments and re-cuts, improving material yield, and supporting fabric inventory control. Cutter III is the advanced technical level responsible for complex cutting operations, troubleshooting equipment and process issues, optimizing yield, training less experienced cutters, coordinating with supervisors, and supporting continuous improvement within the Cutting Department. 

POSITION STRUCTURE
The Cutter reports to the Cutting Supervisor, Production Supervisor, or Production Manager depending on department structure. The role works closely with production, assembly, quality, materials, and other manufacturing team members to ensure that cut parts are prepared accurately and on time.
At the entry level, the Cutter works under close direction and receives guidance from experienced cutters, leads, or supervisors. At the intermediate level, the Cutter works independently and is accountable for cut accuracy, work order compliance, material traceability, basic machine adjustments, and production flow. At the advanced level, the Cutter serves as a technical resource, assists with troubleshooting and workflow coordination, supports training, and helps improve cutting accuracy, yield, safety, and efficiency.
 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES — ALL LEVELS 

The Cutter reads work orders, job specifications, cut files, templates, patterns, and layouts to determine the product, material, cut requirements, machine settings, and production priorities. The Cutter verifies that the correct material is selected and that the cut file, job specifications, or pattern matches the work order before beginning production. The Cutter prepares, unrolls, lays out, spreads, mounts, or positions material on the cutting table, CNC vacuum table, I-9000 machine, or other cutting equipment to achieve accurate cuts and efficient material use. 

The Cutter operates cutting machinery and equipment, including computerized cutting equipment, hand tools, knives, blades, scissors, power tools, bench-mounted tools, routers, grinders, die cutters, and related equipment needed to perform cutting functions. The Cutter sets or adjusts stops, guides, controls, depths, widths, and cut lengths according to scales, rules, templates, patterns, or job specifications. The Cutter activates machinery through appropriate controls, monitors cutting operations, and observes for defects, malfunctions, jamming, wrinkling, tearing, inaccurate cuts, poor markings, or other issues that may affect quality or production flow. 

The Cutter performs material and product quality checks, including inspection for cosmetic defects, stains, chips, scratches, snags, unacceptable finishes, material flaws, adhesion concerns, gauge, weight, and other required material conditions. The Cutter marks or discards defective material as appropriate, escalates quality concerns, and makes re-cuts when required. The Cutter verifies the size, shape, accuracy, marking, and quality of cut parts before releasing them to downstream production. 

The Cutter marks cutting lines, identification numbers, part markings, or other required information on products or materials to support traceability and assembly. The Cutter records material usage information such as vendor, style, color, lot number, roll number, and yardage where required. The Cutter folds, sorts, separates, bundles, labels, and transports cut parts, workpieces, and materials to designated work areas using carts or other approved material handling methods. The Cutter maintains a clean, organized, and safe workstation and performs other related production duties as assigned. 

The Cutter follows all safety rules, machine guarding requirements, PPE expectations, material handling procedures, and manufacturing protocols. The role requires careful attention to moving mechanical parts, cutting hazards, fumes or airborne particles, chemical exposure, risk of electrical shock, noise, and other manufacturing environment risks. Protective eyewear and other required PPE must be used as directed. 

PROGRESSIVE LEVELS 

Cutter I — Entry / Foundational Level 

The Cutter I is the entry-level role in the cutting job family. The primary purpose of this level is to learn and perform basic cutting, marking, trimming, folding, bundling, and material handling tasks while developing safe work habits, equipment familiarity, quality awareness, and an understanding of how cut parts support downstream assembly. 

At this level, the Cutter I reads basic work orders and follows instructions to determine the product or material to be cut. The employee assists with selecting and preparing materials, spreading or positioning material on the cutting table, marking cutting lines around templates or patterns, and operating assigned cutting equipment under supervision or with limited independence. The Cutter I may use hand tools, knives, scissors, power tools, bench-mounted tools, die-cutting equipment, or basic machine controls depending on training and authorization. 

The Cutter I inspects materials and cut pieces for visible defects, verifies basic cut accuracy, marks identification information, folds or sorts materials after cutting, trims excess material, and moves cut parts to the correct location. The employee learns how to identify common defects such as stains, chips, scratches, snags, unacceptable finishes, material flaws, inaccurate markings, wrinkling, tearing, or other issues that could affect finished product quality. The Cutter I also learns proper bundling, labeling, and routing practices to support assembly operations. 

A successful Cutter I follows safety procedures, uses equipment and materials properly, maintains a clean and organized work area, communicates issues to the supervisor or experienced cutter, and demonstrates steady improvement in accuracy, speed, and quality. The role requires the ability to read and understand basic instructions, use common sense to follow written or oral directions, measure accurately, and work safely around cutting tools and machinery. 

Cutter I Minimum Requirements 

A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is preferred. Previous manufacturing, cutting, machine operation, material handling, or related production experience is helpful but not required. The employee must be able to follow written and verbal instructions, communicate with supervisors and team members, use basic measuring tools, and learn safe operation of cutting equipment. 

The employee should be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. The employee must be able to measure accurately with rulers and tape measures, including common manufacturing increments such as sixteenths and eighths of an inch, feet, and yards. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

The Cutter must be able to read and interpret work orders, job specifications, templates, patterns, cutting layouts, cut files, material records, and simple correspondence. The Cutter must understand how to use measuring tools accurately and must be able to perform mathematical calculations involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, inches, feet, yards, and other standard measurement units. 

The Cutter must be able to operate cutting tools and equipment safely, including hand tools, knives, blades, scissors, electric hand tools, bench-mounted tools, routers, grinders, die cutters, CNC cutting systems, vacuum cutting tables, and the I-9000 cutting machine. Depending on level, the Cutter may also need working knowledge of Excel, PatternSmith, Plotter-Pilot, and other manufacturing software. 

The Cutter must be able to identify material defects, verify cut accuracy, inspect markings, understand material orientation, and recognize how cut quality affects downstream assembly and finished product performance. The role requires attention to detail, sound judgment, planning and organizing ability, time management, communication, teamwork, safety awareness, and willingness to work overtime when production demands require it.